Is it okay to feed different flavours of the same brand?

Question

I've heard a lot of different opinions, and conflicting advice, when it comes to cat food, like: (1) introduce new foods gradually, and (2) cats can get addicted if always given the same food.

Right now I use Eagle Pack (Kitten Formula, dry) and give the kitten canned food as treats (one can every 4-5 days). I've heard a total dry food diet isn't good, however; I'm planning to increase the amount of canned food in her diet (will still provide dry), so here's my question:

1. Is it OK to give my cat different brands of cat food (I use Merricks and, when not available, Whiskas)?

2. Dry food-wise, I'm planning to change to Eagle Pack Holistic Select once she's a bit older and was wondering if I could rotate the flavour/formula every few months or so? And when is a good time to do that? Is six months too early?

3. Is chicken (with bones) safe to give if cooked in a pressure cooker? Or does this strip the nutrients off the chicken.

Thanks!

Answer 1

RAW bones OK - cooked bones, NEVER - those are the ones that splinter. That just makes sense - cats in the wild don't cook their meat and they eat bones all the time (raw).

My cats have a lot of variety in their foods. I only have one cat now who eats dry food. She will have a bag of Natural Balance, a bag of CA Natural, a bag of Solid Gold, a bag of Nature's Logic (duck). Actually she has only 1/2 a bag as I give the other half to a friend who feeds ferals.

My "boys" eat canned food. Again I use Natural Balance (lots of variety), Wellness, Lick Your Chops,(has a lamb), Avoderm, Innova Evo. I don't buy beef as it doesn't particularly agree with the cats and buy only a small amount of the "fishy" foods so they only have about one can of fish a week.

So obviously I believe it is good to switch around and try to have some variety in the protein source of the food - duck, turkey, lamb so the cats don't have a life with nothing but chicken.

Wellness and Natural Balance have 3oz cans you can use when introducing "flavors". I would mix a new dry food gradually at first. Sylvie now switches easily from one to another so I just open the bag and give it to her.

Quality foods are appropriate at all stages of a cat's life - kitten, adult and senior. There is nothing special in "kitten" food that your youngster needs.

Answer 2

Different flavors of the same brand is usually okay as long as the ingredients are the same, some times they add something you cat won't like.

For example some cats do not react well to dies in their food and some flavors will have it while others won't.

In general you can just put some in a small dish next to their normal dish and see if they like it. If they don't then just take the extra to the cat shelter or give it to another pet owner.

Six months is not too often to change flavors though, even once a month or every other month. I do it rather randomly and often overlap the two but I use a large autofeeder because have so many cats and by 60 or more pounds at a time.

Even if the bones are soft by cooking them, you should take them out as they can pull them out and hide them and then they will dry out and be prone to giving the cat splinters. Many cats never have a problem with it but it can happen suddenly and be a real problem. It's better to take a few minutes and take the bones out.

I feed mine turkey quite often because I make it for myself and they love the little bits that I boil off of the bones when it is mostly picked over.

The liquid makes a very good soup stock that is great for other cooking too, just strain or scoop out the parts for the cats and any parts you don't want.

There are even some health disorders in cats that can be cured by giving them raw meat, though you want to be sure it is from a very safe source.

Answer 3

Regarding item 3 - no! Absolutely NEVER give cooked bones to cats or even dogs. Cooked bones are the ones that splinter.

Raw bones on the other hand are quite safe and even desirable. They're still flexible and are a great source of calcium and of course they have the dental benefits.

The ONLY cooked bone you could safely give your cat is from a chicken neck - but even then only lightly cooked. Apparently the vertabrae will crumble rather than crack.

Ok, conniption over!

As for giving cooked chicken itself, it's ok - but raw is better. Cooking does lessen the nutrient values. If you're just doing it as a treat it should be fine though - but remove the bone for sure if you're cooking it.

I think it's up to your cat whether or not they'd like a variety in their diet. I don't think it's necessary and if they're happily eating, there's no real reason to switch. On the other hand it won't hurt if you want to try it. You'll either find that your cat will eat what he's given or he won't. That'll answer your question for you!

And kudos to you for choosing one of the best brands of cat food! And for your obvious knowledge of cat nutrition. I've only been hanging out in Cats for a few months now, but it's so wonderful to see so many people (like myself) learning about the topic.

Also, I would avoid Whiskas and stick with other good quality brands (see list below). And if you can, get him off kibble completely as an adult and totally onto canned. It's sooo much better!

And what the heck, since you're doing so well, you might even want to investigate feeding raw or whole prey. If you're interested in learning more about that, I can point you to a bunch of info. Just email me.

Answer 4

Not sure where you're getting the opinions/advice on cat food. I have had cats for many many years and not heard anything about them getting addicted or dry food not being good.
I have always given mine dry food, same brand, same flavor, etc. and they are perfectly happy. Moist food will make their bowels smell worse and can make them go to the bathroom more often.

1. It is ok to give different brands. The cheaper brands will make their poop smell alot worse tho.
2. If you are using the same brand, then switching flavors will not be a problem at all, no matter how often you want to do it, it will be solely up to the cat at that point as to whether or not they like the new flavor.
3. Like the first person said -- NEVER give chicken with bones (small slivers can tear the stomach lining). Table food will add weight to your cat and is not something they should get used to eating.

Answer 5

Switching foods often is a good idea. How would you like eating the same thing all the time?

Chicken with bones is NEVER safe. Take the bones out.